Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Federal Ministry of Works and the Nigeria Police Force have reinforced collaboration aimed at protecting federal road infrastructure across the country following a strategic courtesy visit by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, in Abuja on Monday.
The meeting, held at the ministry’s headquarters in Mabushi, focused on strengthening security around major highway construction corridors, including flagship infrastructure projects being executed under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Welcoming the police delegation, the Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, described the visit as timely and strategic, noting that road infrastructure remains central to the Federal Government’s economic transformation agenda.
He commended the leadership of the ministry for what he termed visible progress in the execution of critical national road projects and praised President Tinubu for sustained support for infrastructure development.
Goronyo also called for stronger inter-agency collaboration to tackle security challenges affecting construction sites nationwide.
Speaking during the visit, the Inspector-General of Police stressed the importance of road infrastructure to national development, saying improved connectivity would stimulate economic activities and help reduce crime in communities along major highways.
“You are building the future of this country through infrastructure. Roads do not only move people; they move opportunity and development,” the police chief said.
He disclosed that the police would require a more structured operational presence along strategic highways through patrol points, surveillance systems, and operational control units to improve security response capacity.
He also appealed for operational support, including patrol and armoured vehicles, to strengthen highway security operations across the country.
The IGP noted that projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway would significantly enhance tourism and economic activities upon completion.
In his response, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, commended the police and other security agencies for supporting the protection of project sites despite prevailing security challenges in parts of the country.
According to him, several road projects would have suffered major delays without the intervention and support of security agencies.
Umahi explained that modern highway construction now incorporates security planning, including surveillance systems, lighting infrastructure, and emergency response facilities.
He revealed that CCTV installations, solar-powered lighting, and security observation posts are already being deployed along selected corridors, including sections of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Third Mainland Bridge.
He added that similar security measures would be extended to other strategic highways nationwide.
The minister described the administration’s flagship highway projects as long-term investment corridors designed to stimulate economic growth, improve logistics, and strengthen national integration.
He listed some of the key projects to include the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Calabar-Abuja Corridor, and the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe route.
Umahi also urged Nigerians to engage government policies constructively and support national development efforts through credible intelligence sharing with security agencies.
In his closing remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Adeladan Rafiu Olarinre, appreciated the Inspector-General of Police and his delegation for the visit and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to sustained collaboration with security agencies to ensure the successful delivery and protection of federal highway projects nationwide. END
